"I have missed you, heart of my heart"

"And I you, my lord. Did you hunt or was it another trip to Constantinople?"

"Cyra, what do you know of my trips to the city?" His fingers squeezed her hand cruelly.

"My lord, you are hurting me. It is enough that I tell you I know that one day you will be sultan."

He released her hand. "How did you come to learn this?"

"From Hadji Bey, my lord. We have all known since the beginning."

"What beginning? Who is we?"

"Zuleika, Firousi, and I. The night before we arrived in Constantinople, Hadji Bey explained the whole situation to us and told us of the plans to make you sultan one day. Did you think it was an oversight that your father never saw us among his gediklis? We were deliberately bidden from his sight so you might choose us. Your mother planned it that way. She sent Hadji Bey to find three maidens of intelligence and beauty who he felt would be of help to you as your kadins. We were the fortunate ones chosen."

"So," said Selim grimly, "you and your friends were bought with the promise of riches and power."

She turned on him, her green eyes blazing with anger. "Yes, we were bought, my lord Selim. But not by promises of any kind,-just gold. And each of us has stood naked in our shame before a crowd of leering creatures who dare to call themselves men. Some even had the audacity to demand proof of our virginity! Did Firousi ask to be torn from her bridegroom at their wedding feast? And Zuleika, destined to be the wife of the shall-did she ask to be betrayed by a common concubine and sold on the block in Baghdad? And what of my betrothed, Rudolfo di San Lorenzo? Did either he or I expect I should end like this? It was our fate and the will of Allah that this should come to pa.s.s. Do you dare to question the will of Allah? And do you dare accuse us of selling ourselves? Had we not loved you on sight, my lord, we could have betrayed you at any time!"

Selim stared in amazement at the outraged girl. He knew she had a temper, but her outburst surprised him. "So, my 'Flame' is truly fiery. And how could you have betrayed me?" His tone was amused and conciliatory.

"By sending word to Lady Besma. She would pay a fortune for proof of your treachery against her son."

"And just how could that be done?" His tone was less conciliatory.

"Through one of her spies, my dear lord. Our palace has several."

"What?" His face showed his incredulity. "How do you know this? Who are they?"

"Only Hadji Bey and Lady Refet know who they are."

"I shall go to the agha tomorrow and demand the names of those who spy on me and my household. Then I shall eliminate them!"

"My lord, you are a child! If Hadji Bey did not allow Besma to place a few of her spies in our palace, she would become suspicious and wonder why. We cannot permit it All would be lost and you could easily lose your life." She laughed softly. "How unskilled you are in the devices of women."

He turned angrily and found himself staring into green eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with mischief. Cyra was not one to hold a grudge and had already forgiven his suspicions of a moment ago.

Her mood was infectious, and slowly a grin spread over his face. "By Allah, I am truly a fool! Can you forgive me, Cyra? How could I ever have doubted you or the other girls?"

"There is nothing to forgive, my lord. You have lived in danger for so long that you are naturally suspicious of everyone, but you need not fear me or the others. We are loyal." Resting her red-gold head on his shoulder, she nestled against him. "I have a terrible temper, my lord Selim. Will you forgive this worthless slave?" She looked up and fluttered her kohl-darkened lashes at him.

His laughter was low. "You must pay the penalty for your bad temper, my little fire-eater. Unskilled I may be in the devices of women, but not in their ways." Slipping his hand beneath her fur-lined pelisse, he fondled her familiar body. She moved so that his hand cupped her breast and rubbed teasingly against him.

His lips found the soft hollow between her neck and her shoulder, and his voice murmuring her name over and over again communicated his urgency. Turning her to face him, he found her sweet moist lips. His lips still clinging to hers, he carried her indoors to the couch.

That night their lovemaking was sweeter than it would ever be again, and when in the split second of eternity their souls touched, Cyra wept for the joy of it She lay awake in the night, and in the dim light of the chamber gazed at the man beside her. In sleep, the cares and fears stripped away, he was vulnerable and seemed like a boy, though he was eleven years older than she. His fair skin was slightly darkened by the winter wind and sun. With his dark-gray eyes closed, the thick fringe of his lashes were like smudges of soot against his cheeks. His nose was straight and proud, and the lips that covered his even white teeth were generous despite their thinness. Unlike his brothers, he wore no beard, for once, when he was younger, he had grown one, and so regal was his look that his mother had made him shave it off lest he draw attention to himself. He had vowed never to wear a beard again until he was sultan. Stirring, he stretched his body to its full length, and Cyra thought he was at least as tall as her father.

His voice pierced her thoughts. "Why aren't you sleeping, my little houri?"

"I am too happy."

He buried his face in her marvelous hair.

"I cannot come to you again, Selim."

Sitting up sharply, he looked at her.

A smile played at the corners of her mouth. "I am with child, dearest lord."

Staring at her, the sleep gone from his eyes, he whispered, "You are sure?"

She nodded.

"When?"

"Late summer. As the wheat ripens, so shall I Zuleika says it is a boy and he will be born under the sign of the Lion. She also says he will be a great sultan."

"A son," he murmured. "A son!" He crushed her in his arms and asked, "Who else knows of this?"

"Only Lady Refet"

"No one eke must know until-"

"Selim!"

"Until I have provided you with a food taster and two personal bodyguards. Once it becomes known you are with child, Besma will stop at nothing. She has been known to use poison before."

Cyra whitened.

"Do not be frightened, sweetheart No harm will come to yon or the child. I shall go into Constantinople myself in the morning and personally purchase the slaves."

"Let Hadji Bey help you, Selim. His instincts are infallible."

"If I am seen at the Eski Serai, it will arouse suspicion."

"I can send a message to Hadji Bey at dawn. He will await you in Constantinople."

"Another secret, Cyra?"

She giggled. "We have several pigeons in the dovecote. They are a gift from Hadji Bey. Loose them, and they fly straight to his dovecote at the palace."

"By the beard of the Prophet, the agha Mslar is a wily old devill Send your message." He smiled and drew her down to the couch. "Our last night, eh?"

"Until the child is born."

Then let us make the most of it When I return from the city, I shall have to go about the boring business of deflowering and teaching another frightened virgin."

She grabbed a handful of his dark hair and yanked The prince roared in amused outrage. "Beast" she hissed at him. "Son of a mangy camel!"

Laughingly he wrestled her quiet then kissed her pouting lips. Struggling loose, she hurled several additional epithets at him. His eyebrows rose. Tour command of Turkish truly astounds me, beloved, but the night grows short."

Melting into his arms, she cried softly, "Love me, love me, my lord Selim. We have so little time."

16.

LADY R REFET looked sternly up at her nephew. "I do not approve, Selim. I do not approve at all." looked sternly up at her nephew. "I do not approve, Selim. I do not approve at all."

The prince smiled down at her from his saddle. "Nevertheless, aunt, it is my wish. We shall return within four days' time. Be sure you guard both my treasures well." Wheeling the horse, he called to the turbaned boy mounted next to him, "Come, lad," and galloped off toward Constantinople, his escort of Tartars following in his wake.

Once on the main road, he turned to his companion. "Well, Firousi, how do you like your adventure?"

"Very much, my lord," replied his turbaned companion, "but I don't understand."

"Cyra is with child."

Firousi gasped.

"But no one knows except my aunt, and they must not know until I have taken steps to protect her."

"Besma!"

"Yes," replied the prince. "We are to meet Hadji Bey at the house of David ben Kira in Constantinople. David deals discreetly in slaves for persons of importance. I shall purchase a bodyguard and a food taster."

"But why do you need me, my lord? You take a terrible chance. If word of this escapade should reach the wrong ears, there would be a terrible scandal."

"I want to buy Cyra a very special gift, Firousi. I need you to help me pick it out, since you, as a woman, know her tastes perhaps better than L Dressed as a boy, you will attract little attention."

"I don't know whether I shall ever get this brown stain off my skin, my lord."

"If your slaves have no luck, my little jewel, we shall try together in a few nights' time, eh?"

Firousi was shocked. "But Cyra-" she began.

"Cyra understands that the sooner I take another ikbal, the less painful it will be for her. I I do not wish to cause her pain." He eyed the girl beside him. She was well disguised. The brown stain covered her skin, her hair was hidden beneath the turban, and her generous b.r.e.a.s.t.s were bound flat beneath a tight layer of cloth. "You are most beautiful, my dear. I begin to antic.i.p.ate the conclusion of our business." Firousi, eyeing him tremulously from beneath her lashes, did not reply. do not wish to cause her pain." He eyed the girl beside him. She was well disguised. The brown stain covered her skin, her hair was hidden beneath the turban, and her generous b.r.e.a.s.t.s were bound flat beneath a tight layer of cloth. "You are most beautiful, my dear. I begin to antic.i.p.ate the conclusion of our business." Firousi, eyeing him tremulously from beneath her lashes, did not reply.

Riding all day, they camped outside the city that night, and after the dawn prayers, they rode on into the Jewish quarter. Dismounting before the house of David ben Kira, Selim warned the girl, "Speak little, and call me master." She nodded.

They were greeted by David ben Kira himself. He bowed. "You do my poor house great honor, Prince Selim. Please come this way. The agha kislar awaits you in my private quarters."

Hadji Bey rose as they entered the room. "Selim, my son! You are looking well. Now, why this urgency to buy new slaves? Have I not provided your palace with enough servants?"

"Cyra did not tell you?"

"Her note simply stated you wished to purchase a bodyguard and a food taster and you needed my help."

"Caution again," said Selim. "I can learn much from her," he mused. "Cyra is with child, my old friend. When word reaches Besma-and Cyra a.s.sures me it will-my father's evil kadin may be tempted to act rashly. It will not please her, with Ahmed childless, to have me become a father."

"Your good fortune delights me, and your precautions show wisdom." Turning to David ben Kira, he said, "Can you provide us with such slaves?"

"Indeed, yes, my lord agha. We have an excellent selection." He clapped his hands, murmured a few words to the attending servant, and a few minutes later the door of the room opened to admit a dozen young men.

Selim looked them over carefully and found his eye drawn to an enormous dark-brown Negro with close-cropped hair and a rebellious look; but before he could speak, David ben Kira turned to his slavemaster.

"Idiot!"-be pointed at the very slave Selim had noted-"get that wild man out of here! These slaves are for the prince, not some provincial merchant"

"Hold, David. What is wrong with the man? It appears he would suit my purpose quite well."

"No, Highness. Arslan is flawed in the mind. He has almost killed two masters. I am selling him to the quarries."

"Step forward," Selim commanded. The giant stood before him. "Is this true?"

"Yes, my lord."

Selim noted the intelligent light in the man's eyes. "Why?"

"Because, my lord, they were cruel masters. I have been a slave since I was five, and I have known nothing but unkindness; but before that I knew tenderness and compa.s.sion. I cannot bear to see innocent young girls mistreated because of their fear, or good wives beaten because they are no longer beautiful. If this is a flaw, then I am flawed."

Selim replied, "I do not mistreat my women, and I do have need of a strong, loyal man to guard with his very life the most precious of jewels-my wife. She is with child."

"If you will have me, I will watch over her, but if you are cruel, lord, I cannot be responsible for my actions."

Selim looked to Hadji Bey.

"Trust your instincts, my son."

The prince nodded, and turned to David ben Kira. "I will take this one. Do not look so fearful, my friend. I need a eunuch such as this. His loyalty will be only to my Cyra, and no one will ever be able to bribe him"

"Very well, my lord. It will be as you say." He motioned Arslan to the side of the room and waved the other slaves out "Now, my prince. Hadji Bey and I have already chosen a food taster. He is an Egyptian with an incredible ability to ferret out poisons, even those that have no taste. He also has the ability to make you immune to any poison. He is expensive but well worth it"

"Then our business is concluded, David."

"Ah, but you must not leave without refreshments, my lord. I have a slave girl who makes a sherbet fit for the Prophet himself." He clapped his hands, and two servant girls entered, one bearing a tray.

The female with the tray, a small, plain creature, stumbled against a low table and cried out, "Lord Lamerey! Tables where footstools should be."

"Master," whispered Firousi, "I can think of no better gift for my lady than a female slave who speaks her tongue. It would please her greatly."

"You are right, lad. David, what price on that girl?"

"That one? Five dinars, my lord, but she is useless. I have been trying to train her as a waitress, but she is as stubborn as a mule, and twice as troublesome."

"When a woman is troublesome, there is usually a man involved," remarked Hadji Bey.